Newark man sentenced to life in prison for fatal stabbing in business district

John O'Boyle/The Star-LedgerJerod Wise at his arraignment in September, 2009. Wise was sentenced today to life in prison for the fatal stabbing of Curtis Johnson in Newark.

NEWARK — A 28-year-old man was sentenced today to life in prison for the fatal stabbing of another man during an afternoon confrontation on a street in Newark’s business district.

Jerod Wise, a city resident, must serve 35 years in prison before he is eligible for parole, following the sentence handed down by Superior Court Judge Alfonse J. Cifelli, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office said.

In August, a jury convicted Wise of murder in the Sept. 9, 2009, stabbing death of Curtis Johnson, which happened at the intersection of Broad and Market streets, one of the city’s busiest blocks. Johnson, 22, was attacked from behind and stabbed in the neck at 3:30 p.m., following an argument the two men had the day before.

Assistant Prosecutor Gina Iosim said Wise "has never shown any remorse for his actions. We believe the sentence is justified.’’